Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening – Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sounds the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

1. List all the things that Frost sees. Rank them in the order that you would find them attractive.

From most attractive to least attractive.

- Frozen lake

- Dark evening

- Woods

- Little Horse

- Village

- House

- Harness bells

2. What are the images and ideas that Frost reflects upon when he has stopped?

He is reflecting upon the thoughts of his horse, and he is giving his horse thoughts and feelings it wouldn’t usually have. About how his horse “must think it queer”.

3. Imagine that you are Frost. Write what you would say to your wife when you returned home from your journey.

Do not understand.

4. Is there a deeper meaning to the poem? What do you think it is?

I believe there is a deeper meaning to this poem. The last two paragraphs are referring to how he wants to be alone but he simply can’t because “But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep”. I also believe this poem is about the desire to explore the unknown “To stop without a farmhouse near between the woods and frozen lake, the darkest evening of the year. He gives his harness bells a shake to ask if there is some mistake.”

5. Comment on the use of three poetic devices in the poem. (Especially the use of rhyming and repetition in the last line).

The three poetic devices used in this poem are rhyming, repetition and imagery. The use of rhyming helps with the flow and makes it easier for the reader. The use of repetition in the last two lines is helping the reader understand how important that statement is. Frost uses imagery in this poem to help understand what is going on and to help the reader picture everything.

6. The poem draws attention to two conflicting desires: the desire to be alone and to explore mysterious, challenging or even dangerous places, thoughts or objects, and the desire to a sociable person who responds to the company of others. Trace these ideas through the poem.

The desire to be alone and to explore is evident through “He will not see me stopping here” the significance of this is that Frost is talking about a mysterious ‘he’ and how Frost is trying to get away and explore. “To stop without a farmhouse near” is signifying his need to be near others and his desire to be social.

7. What aspects of the journey are being emphasised?

When he stops and starts his journey again.

8. Explain why this poem does or does not appeal to you. Justify your answer with quotes from the poem.

This poem appeals to me as I can relate to the author needing to be social but also wanting to explore the unknown. “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep” signifying his need to explore but also his need to be social and be on his way.